Every Child's Future Matters - Sustainable Development Commission

A Introduction
The DCSF’s Children’s Plan (2007) i aims to make
England “the best place in the world for children
and young people to grow up” and states that
“sustainable development is a non-negotiable for
children’s wellbeing”. The DCSF’s own Sustainable
Development Action Plan 2008-10 Brighter Futures
– Greener Lives ii states that “children cannot grow
up into a stable and secure world unless we, as a
country and as an international partner, find ways
to improve our wellbeing while conserving our most
precious resource, the planet.” The five Every Child
Matters (ECM) outcomes remain central to a range
of initiatives that have been developed to cover the
needs of all children and young people – from birth
to nineteen – focusing on their wellbeing, personal
development and future prosperity.
Every Child Matters aims to improve the daily
experiences of all children and young people in
England. It recognises that growing up is a process
of understanding yourself and your place in the
world, and that this is best done in a healthy, safe
and supportive context. That having the chance to
enjoy life and feel a sense of achievement is good
for children’s self-esteem. That being involved
from a young age in activities that make a positive
contribution to society develops important skills for
life and work. And that all of these factors can help
to secure children’s economic wellbeing.
We live in a truly dynamic era packed full
of uncertainties and opportunities. Changes in
technology, demographics and culture are occurring
at an unprecedented rate as we seek new ways to
increase our income and wellbeing. The fact that life
satisfaction in the UK has levelled off since the 1970s
(despite continued economic growth) suggests that
it is problematic to assume that ongoing national
economic growth will lead to increased wellbeing. 3
Indeed, UNICEF gives the Czech Republic a higher
overall rank for children’s wellbeing than several
wealthier countries including the UK and the
United States. 4 Despite progress in a range of areas,
economic growth has been obtained at considerable
cost to the environment, and with this the ability
of young people and future generations to meet
their needs. Climate change is an obvious current
example, but there are numerous others including
the destruction of natural resources and the build
up of waste. Our generation is the first to knowingly
degrade the environment at the expense of children
now and in the future – a fact that challenges much
of our rhetoric about the importance of children in
society.
How does this relate to the delivery of ECM
and the design of children’s services? In this paper
we explore the influence the environment has on
children’s wellbeing. How are children affected by
their environments as they grow up, and how do
they benefit or lose out from different environmental
factors? ECM is strong on children’s social and
economic wellbeing. Using commissioned research
and the experience of nine local authorities, we will
demonstrate how attention to the local and global
environment is a powerful means of achieving ECM
outcomes.
“In many ways, children inspire and shape
the environmental debate. It is they who
will suffer tomorrow the effects of our
negligence today.”
Alan Johnson
speech to NASUWT conference
11th April 2007
Recent guidance on the role of Children’s Trusts
and on Children and Young Peoples Plans (CYPP’s)
recognises that local authorities and their partners
can utilise sustainable development to create good
places for children and young people to grow
that encourage healthy, fulfilling and sustainable
lifestyles. For example, the recent focus on
improving the nutritional content of school meals
has created a double win for many schools and
local authorities. The use of locally sourced, fresh
and organic ingredients has reduced ‘food miles’, as
well as increasing the amount of fresh food children
eat and decreasing the amount of toxins going into
the soil and children’s mouths. It has also stimulated
local employment and economic development. 5
Similarly, a focus on good corporate citizenship in
health services - using corporate resources to improve
health and wellbeing of society, the economy and
the environment - can have multiple benefits from
increased physical activity, regeneration of local
communities and lower carbon emissions. 6
8 Every Child’s Future Matters